Archos introduces its TV Connect, turns your HDTV into Android tablet

French Firm Archos unveiled its latest set top box ahead of CES 2013. The device is an Android-powered TV Connect that could turn your HDTV into a huge Android tablet. You may wonder what’s new in the story, as there are many tools available already, that could do what this device does. But TV Connect has a feature like no other docks or dongles and that is full access to the Google Play Store!

ADVERTISEMENT

To enhance your Android experience and make it more enjoyable, TV Connect has a multitouch TV Touch remote with a pair of pointer sticks to operate the monitor. You can do an array of things with this device like sending or receiving emails, streaming videos in HD quality, HD video calling and so on. The pointers give you the option of screen swipe, zoom in or out and type using the QWERTY keypad, just like you would do on your Tablet.

TV Connect is powered by Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, a 1.5 GHz “multi-core” CPU, 1GB RAM and 8GB expandable storage. The device supports video calling apps like Skype and Google Talk and has a HD webcam to give you a smooth chatting experience. You get LED notifications of incoming calls while you are watching a video or playing games.

Though TV Connect may remind you of the failed Atari console, it has better features, not to mention Google Play Store up its sleeves which make it more desirable. The device gives you access to thousands of apps, music libraries, TV shows and all the games you enjoy on your Android devices. The addition of

No items found.

allows you to map game controls to the buttons and controllers of the remote which make your gaming experience more exciting.

Archos has priced TV Connect at $129.99 and it will be available for purchase from February. While the features are mentioned in detail in the press release below, the real experience of using the device will come only next month.

ARCHOS TV Connect features a multi-gesture TV Touch remote with game control mapping and an HD camera for video calls

To be debuted at CES 2013, LVCC Central Hall Booth # 15322

2013 International CES
DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ARCHOS, a pioneer in multimedia portable devices, is pleased to announce the ARCHOS TV connect, the only multi-touch “AndroidTM on TV experience” for your apps and games. The ARCHOS TV connect turns any HDTV into an Android powered smart TV providing the full Android ecosystem with a specially designed TV Touch remote.

“As a pioneer in multimedia Android devices, we wanted to create a bigger, better way to enjoy Android”
The TV connect allows you to control your TV just like a tablet – tap, swipe, zoom in, zoom out, select or type. With the TV connect users will be able to play games, stream videos, video chat in HD, email friends or surf the web all from their big-screen TV. The ARCHOS TV connect runs Android 4.1TM ‘Jelly Bean’ and will be available starting in February, 2013 for $129.99.

Revolutionary TV Touch remote – A smartly designed remote for every task

Pointer – Allows you to control your TV just like you would your tablet with a tapping and/or swiping motion
Full multi-touch gesture support – Control your apps easily with zoom In, zoom out and rotate with ARCHOS developed unique gesture controls
Full keyboard with Android shortcuts – The TV touch remote includes a full keyboard and Android shortcut keys including a key for voice controls and voice typing
Play Games on your TV – Critically acclaimed games at your fingertips

Thousands of games available on your TV – Choose from over 700,000 apps and games on Google PlayTM
Dual thumb sticks and buttons – Play all your favorite games with full gaming controls and dual analog thumbsticks
ARCHOS Gaming Mapping Tool – Map the controls of games to the buttons and controllers of the remote for playing virtually any game on your TV – as recently introduced on the GamePad
Turn your TV into a Smart TV – Get a full web experience on your current HDTV

Internet – Surf on the net from a big screen
Online video streaming – Stream videos directly on your TV through YouTubeTM, Daily motion and other video applications
Emails – Send and receive emails or share photos from your Facebook page with friends
HD video calls – Connect with a group of friends or family members on a big screen

HD webcam – ARCHOS TV connect is equipped with an HD webcam for High quality video calling
LED notification – LED lights notify you when you have an incoming calls while watching TV
Compatibility with all popular video calling apps – Video chatting with Skype or Google TalkTM as a family from your sofa has never been easier
Multimedia Player – The ARCHOS TV connect includes the critically acclaimed ARCHOS Media Center applications so you can finally get control of your home media content, including:

Best video codecs and format support – Read all your favorite video files with format and codec support including H.264 decoding in full 1080p HD
Media Center Library – Tailor-made UI with automatic jacket, synopsis and subtitle download as well as library organization even for files stored elsewhere on your home network
Easy home streaming – Stream your media content over your home network either through WiFi or Ethernet
The right connections – Features HDMI (cable included), full USB host and micro SD slot
Google™ Certified with Full Access to shop on Google Play™ – With over 700,000 applications, get all your favorite Android content on your TV including books, music, magazines and movies
ARCHOS at CES 2013 – Come experience the ARCHOS TV connect first hand during CES 2013 in Las Vegas, NV from January 8-11. In addition to the TV connect, ARCHOS will be showing off its new line up of tablets which include the recently announced GamePad and new entrants to the ARCHOS Elements line – the dual-core Titanium range and the quad-core Platinum range, both of which feature tablets with stunning 2048×1536 resolution IPS screens. The ARCHOS booth is located in Central Hall (15322) of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

For more information about the ARCHOS TV connect or ARCHOS at CES visit www.ARCHOS.com.

ABOUT ARCHOS

ARCHOS, a pioneer in the portable audio and video player market, and now specializing in Android Tablets, has repeatedly revolutionized the market for consumer electronics since 1988. Today, ARCHOS offers Android Tablets, Tablet PCs and MP3/MP4 players. In 2000, ARCHOS launched the Jukebox 6000, the first MP3 player combined with a hard disk. Then in 2003 ARCHOS introduced the first portable multimedia players with TV recording. In 2006 Wi-Fi is implemented and then touch screens in 2007. In 2008, ARCHOS launched the first generation Internet Tablets, and then the first ever Android powered tablets in 2009. ARCHOS has offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. ARCHOS is quoted on Compartment B of Eurolist, Euronext Paris, ISIN CodeFR0000182479.

The Novo 7 Legend also launched in December, which may be considered the first quality”$100 TABLET” actually worth buying – with features that include a quality screen display, MicroSD storage, Android 4.1 O/S, Google Play, a MicroUSB port, and a processor good enough to handle 3D games — Plus WiFi, Ethernet and 3G/4G Connection.

Tablet Sprint also includes $25 in Bonus Apps with all tablets available through their site, and bundles in free 3G/4G wireless service with a free 3G/4G USB adapter and 500MB of free data every month with full internet access & VoIP voice calling.

Wi Chri

One Android tablet maker to watch out for is Ainol Electronics – which has recently been coming out with some impressive, well-priced models and actually won “runner up” status for “Best Tablet of the Year” at CES 2012… One of the first US Resellers to carry the Ainol Novo Series is a site called Tablet Sprint — in December, the Novo 10 Hero was introduced and is available at Tablet Sprint for $219 – and is possibly the best Full Size 10-inch tablet for under $300 — offering a High Resolution 1280×800 IPS screen, 16GB Memory, a strong Battery and Dual Core processor with Quad Core GPU, front and back cameras, MicroSD Memory Card slot with unlimited storage, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS, Google Play with 400K+ Apps, MicroUSB port for connection to printers and other electronic devices, HDMI – to view personal videos and to download movies and watch in Full 1080p (HD) on to a large screen TV, WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and an option for 3G/4G connection. It’s also a great gaming device with its high resolution screen and motion gaming sensor. Tablet Sprint also offers a Compact Case for $28 with built-in Keyboard.